Warning signal



1934- T. J. SCOFIELD Er AL 1,980,296

WARNING SIGNAL Filed Jan. 1'7, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet l ATTORNEY8 Nov. 13, 1934. T. J. SCOFIELD ET AL 1,980,296;

WARNING S IGNAL Filed Jan. 1'1, 1929 v s Sheets-Sheet 2 M al Me .J'W' I W BY v ATTORNEY-S.

/8 I8 3% lg? INVENTORS.

' Nov. 13, 1934. T. J. SCOFIELD Er AL 1,980,296

WARNING SIGNAL Filed Jan. 17, 1929 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORZ.

A TTORNEYS Patented Nov. 13, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WARNING SIGNAL Application January 17,

20 Claim.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in warning signals, and is particularly directed to warning signals used with automotive vehicles.

I In the case of warning signals used with automotive vehicles, it is desirable that the warning signal be sufliciently penetrating so that it will' be heard by the person or persons towards whom it is directed, but it is also desirable that the note or notes given out by the warning signal be pleasing in tone. It is obvious that a warning signal to be effective in a city where the traffic is great and close together, need not be as penetrating as is necessary when the warning signal is used on an open high-way where the person or persons to be warned are frequently a considerable distance from the vehicle from which the signal is sent. The main object of our invention is to provide a warning signal which will be pleasing in tone and which will be capable of emitting notes of different degrees of loudness and penetration asthe user may desire. To accomplish this object, we have designed a warning signal which if desired, will emit a series of harmonious individual notes, but which also if desired will emit a plurality of harmonious notes at the same time, the latter tone being louder and more penetrating than the individual notes.

Another object of our invention is to provide a warning signal which will emit a sound or sounds during a certain predetermined length of time irrespective of whether or not the operator keeps in contact the actuating switch.

Other objects and advantages relate to the size, 85 shape, and arrangement of parts, all as will more fully appear from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my device. Figure 2 is a section on line 22 of Figure 1. Figure 3 is a section on line 33 of Figure 2. Figure 4 is a section on line 4-4 of Figure 2. Figure 5 is a-section on line 55 of Figure 4, the valve stems being cut oil? in a plane below the section line.

Figure 6 is a section on line 66 of Figure 4. Figure 7 is a section on line 7-7 of Figure 4. Figure 8 is a section on line 88 of Figure. 4. Figure 9 is a section on line 9-9 of Figure 4. Figure 10 is a section on line 10-10 of Figure 4. Figure 11 is a diagrammatic illustration of suitable circuits for the motor and automatic contact devices.

The structure as here illustrated comprises three air resonant devices of identical construcstorage chamber 11 hereinafter more 'larly described.

1929, Serial No. 333,088

tion except for the shape of the projectors 1, 2, and 3 which are here shown of different lengths so as to produce tones of difierent pitch. These projectors may be of any suitable form to produce notes of desired amplitude and pitch, and any number of air resonant devices may be utilized.

Each air resonant device comprises in connection with the horn body 4 a tubular boss 5 in which the rear end of the respective projector is secured as by threaded relation. A tube 6 is secured in any suitable manner within a shouldered portion of the boss 5 as by threading, and as shown, is aligned with the respective projector, and projectsrearwardly from the boss 5 and its exterior diameter is slightly less than the interior of the boss so as to form an annular passageway surrounding the tube.

Further the boss 5 has a circumferentially enlarged intermediate portion forming an annular chamber 7 surrounding tube 6 and this chamher is in communication with the respective one of the passageways 8, 9 and 10 leading through the horn body and'in communication with the air particu- The rear end of boss 5 is interiorly enlarged with respect to the front end, and is threaded for the reception of an exteriorly threaded tubular boss 12 formed concentrically at the base of 86 a cup-shaped member 13 constituting the front wall of a diaphragm chamber. The boss 12 may be locked in any desired position with respect to'boss 5 as by means of a locknut 14. vThe internal diameter of the boss 12 is somewhat greater than the external diameter of the tube 6 so as to form an annular passageway around the tube 6 leading from chamber 7 to the interior of the cup-shape member 13.

The annular wall of the cup-shape member 13 is externally threaded for cooperative engagement with the interiorly threaded flanges upon' a cup-shape cap 15 and this cap 15 is adapted to clamp between its end and the rear edge of the cup-shape member 13 a thin flexible metal no lie diaphragm 16. The size and arrangement of the parts are such that when the diaphragm 16 is t .positioned, as described, it extends across and normally closes the rear open end or mouth of tube 6 and preferably the rear open end of tube 6 is somewhat flared, as indicated.

It is found that the air in the chamber between diaphragm 16 and cap 15 varies in pressure somewhat in accordance with the temperature to a which the device issubjected, thereby varying no the pressure uponthe diaphragm 16 which in turn affects the operationof the signaling device, and in order to maintain the device uniform in operation, the cap 15 is provided with one or moreopenings 17 to permit the entrance of 'airor the exit to or from the interior space.

The horn body 4 rests upon and is secured to a pump casing 18 in any suitable manner, as by screws or the 1ike,-and this pump casing, as

rotor shaft is keyed or otherwise secured to the" armature shaft 24 of an ordinary motor-A ineluding the usual armature 26, field coils Z'I'and pole piece 28.

The motor frame 29 is secured in any suitable manner, as by screws 30 to the flanges 31 formed integrally with the pump casing 18.

In the particular embodimenthere illustrated which includes three air resonant devices, the pump casing is formed with a similar number of passageways 31', 32 and 33, leading respectively to the passageways-8, 9 and 10, the respective valves 34, 35 and 36 controlling communication between the storage chamber 11 and the respective conduits or passageways 31', 32 and 33. Normally, the valves 34, 35 and 36 are held closed to prevent the passage of air under pressure-from the storage chamber to the re-' spective air resonant device, as by means of the,

springs 37,38 and 39 respectively.

In order to operate the valves 34, 35 and 36 in succession or in a pre-determined order, to cause actuation of the air resonant devices in pre-determined succession, the armature 24 is formed with a worm 40 meshing with a worm gear 41 secured to a counter-shaft 42 journaled in adjustable hearings in the flanges 31 so that rotation of the armature shaft will effect continued simultaneous rotation of the counter-shaft 42.

Mounted upon the counter-shaft 42 are a series of cams 43, 44 and 45 adapted for contact respectively with the lower ends of the stems of the valves 34, 35 and 36 so that upon rotation of counter-shaft 42, these cams in'accordance with their particular disposition and arrangement, will successively or in pre-determined' order, elevate the respective valve against the action of its respective spring to open communication between the air storage chamber 11 and the respective air resonant devices to cause the production of a pre-determined signal and the production of a succession of varied tones in predetermined orderl As here illustrated, the cam 43 is a double cam so that during-each revolution it will elevate or openthe valve 34 twice during each revolution. In the particular illustration here shown, the order of operation is as follows:--

Cam 45 is so disposed upon shaft 42 that it operates to open valve-36 shortly afterthe shaft 42 starts to rotate from a normal position. This valve remains open only momentarily and is' then closed by its spring 30, whereupon cam 43 opens the valve 34 and this valve remains open momentarily and is then'closed by its spring 39.

Immediately thereafter, cam 44 opens valve 35 and this valve'remains open momentarily and then closes, whereupon cam 43, due to its double nature, again opens the valve 34 and thereafter lifting yoke 46 is provided with apertures 49 and member will be held away from switch member 81, but when lug 59 is on the low portion of I cam 56 contact member 60 will contact with mam-- f valve 34 closes. In this manner four successive notes are produced by the respective air resonant devices, one of which devices is operated twice at spaced intervals. d It will be obvious, however, that any desired arrangement or order of actuation of the air resonant devices may be provided for.

The operation of the warning signal to obtain a series of notes as just described is controlled by certain circuits which in turn are controlled bya switch placed at a convenient point'on the vehicle for operation by the driver of the vehicle. These particular circuits will be hereinafter described.

In order to obtain a warning signal which consists in the simultaneous emission of notes from all of the air resonant devices, we provide a lifting yoke 46 pivotally mounted inpump casing 18 by means of pivot pins 47 and 48. One end of 50 through which extend respectively the valve stems of the valves 34 and '35 they being provided adjacent their lower end with collars 51 and 52 respectively which collars act as stops for springs 3'7 and 38. Collars 5i and 52 are larger in diameter than apertures 49 and 50 so that when lifting yoke 46 is raised, it will contact with collars 51 and 52 to raise valves 34 and 35 upwardly and of! their respective seats. On the other arm of lifting yoke 46, we provide an aperture 53 through which the stem of valve 36 extends. Valve 36 is provided with a collar 54 similar in position and function to collars 51 and 52. The opposite end of lifting yoke 46 on the other side of pivots 47 and 48 is positioned above and normally in spaced relation to magnet coil 55, which is adjustably secured to pole piece 28 by a slotted support 55' and screws 55".

Lifting yoke 46'is held normally out of contact with magnet coil 74 due to the fact that one end 11 is in contact with collars 51, 52 and 54 which collars are spring-pressed downwardly by springs 37, 38 and 39. To assist in the upward movement of the inner end of lifting yoke 46 through the action of magnet coil 74, we provide a spring 84 having one end secured to body 18 and the other end secured to the inner end of lifting yoke 46.

When the proper circuit is made in a manner hereinafter to be described thru the motor A, the magnet coil 55 will become magnetized which will cause the end of lifting yoke 46 to move downwardly into contact with magnet coil 55 with the result that the other end of lifting yoke 46 will be movedupwardly carrying with it valves 34, 35' and 36 so that air will be admitted to all of the air resonant devices at the same time.

For the purpose of controllingthe duration of the operation of the device independently of the switch members which are manually controlled by the operator of the vehicle there is provided on shaft 42 a cam 56 and a second cam 57. Above cam 56 is positioned a spring. switch member 58 having 9. depending lug. 59 co-acting with cam 56 and having at its outer end a contact member 60. A second switch member 61 is positioned beneath contact member 60. The relation of parts is such that when lug 59 on switch member 58 is in contact with the high side of cam 56, contact switch member 61 to-make an electrical connection.

Similarly we provide above cam 57a spring switch member 62 having a depending lug 63 and 5 a contact member 64. We also provide a switch member 65 beneath contact member 64. The relation of parts is such that when lug 63, on spring switch member 62 is in contact with the high side of cam 57, contact member 64 will be held away from switch member 65, but when lug 63 is in contact with the low side of cam 57, spring switch member 62 will move downwardly to place contact member in electrical contact with switch member 65.

The high side of cam 56 is greater length than the high side of cam member 57, preferably approximately 10 degrees so that the operative dwell of cam 56 on lug 59 will be longer than the dwell of cam 57 on lug 63. The arrangement of parts is such that the members 60 and 61 willbe separated five degrees before the separation of members 64 and 65 takes place and the members 64 and 65 will be permitted to come in contact five degrees before the members 60 and 61 will come in contact. The purpose of the difference in dwell between cams 56 and 57 will be hereinafter explained.

Operation For the purpose of explaining the operation of our device and the electric circuits which control the same, we have shown diagrammatically in Figure lithe circuits controlling the device together with cams 56, 57 and cam 43. We have also shown valve 34 leading to one of the sound resonant devices, but it will be understood that the cams 44 and 45 and their respective valves 35 and 36 will also be actuated when the device is in operation.

For the purpose of permitting the convenient operation of the device, we provide a two way the chime the switch 65' is moved downwardlyinto contact with line 66. With the parts in this position, the potential willmove from battery 67 to line 68, field 69, commutator 70 and field '71 of motor A into line 72, line 73, magnet coil 55, line 75, line 76, switch 65 and line '77 back to battery 67 to complete the circuit. When this circuit is thus completed, the magnet coil 55 will be energized to draw downwardly one end of lifting yoke 46 and move the other end upwardly to raise valves 34, 35 and 36 off of their seats to permit the air from storage chamber 11 to move to all of the sound resonant devices simultaneously. Inasmuch as the end of spring switch member 62 is positioned above lifting yoke 46, the raising of the latter will hold spring switch member 62 in the raised position with contact member 64 out of contact with switch member 65 so that the rotation of cam 57 will have no eifect on switch member 62. Cam 56, however, will rotate to permit lug 59 to drop to the low side of cam 56, with the result that contact member 60 on spring switch member 58 will move downwardly to make electrical contact with switch member 61.

contact with switch member 61 the circuit will .not be broken because after it leaves magnet coil 55 and line '75, it will pass through line 78, switch members 61 and 60 and spring switch member 58 through lines 79 and to line 77 to complete the circuitto battery 67. When, however, the electrical contact between contact member 60 and switch member 61 is broken through the action of cam 56, the circuit will be broken and the de-' vice will cease operating.

When it is desired to sound the bugle, the switch 65' will be'placed in contact with line 81. With the parts in this position the potential will move from battery 67 to line 68, held 69 commutator 70 and field 71 of motor A to line 72, line 81, switch 65' and line 7'7 back to battery 67; When this circuit is completed, no potential willpass to magnet coil 55 so that the normal positiorr'of lifting yoke 46 will not be changed. The position of valves 34, 35 and 36 not being affected by any movement of lifting yoke 46, they will besuccessively lifted from their seats by the action of cams 45, 44 and 43 and a recurring action of valve 45 so that the air from storage chamber 11 will successively enter the sound resonant devices to cause a succession of individual notes. When the device has been started in operation through the completion of the circuit just described, lug 63 on spring switch member 62 will drop to the low side of cam 57 to permit contact member 64 and switch member 65 to come into electrical contact. Assuming that the operator has permitted the contact between switch member 65' and line 81 to become broken, the

circuit will still remain complete as the potential ,will then pass from line 72 through line 82, switch member 65, contact member 64, spring switch member 62, line 83, line 80 and line 77 back to battery 67. This circuit will remain completed until cam 57 causes the electrical contact between contact member 64 and switch member 65 to be broken at which time the operation of the device will be interrupted.

The dwell of the high-side of cam 56 on lug 59 is made longer'than the dwell of the high-side of cam 57 on lug 63 so that when the device starts to operate with the circuit completed to cause a bugle as just described, contact member 64 will be permitted to move downward into contact with switch member 65 before contact member 60 is permitted to move downward into contact with switch member 61. If the reverse were the case, a circuit would be completed through magnet coil 55 before it was completed'through switch membetween contact member 64 and switch member 3 65 before electrical contact is made between con-v tact member 60 and switch member 61, the cur rent will continue to-fiow through the circuit. first.

made because it'will encounter less resistance valves 34-35 and 36 are closed by their springs just before the high sides of the earns 56 and 57 raise the springswitch members 58 and 62 respectively to break the circuit, with the result that there is no outlet for the air from the storage chamber 11, and the resulting back pressure produced re-acts upon the rotor 22 to stop rotation of the rotor and of the armature of the motor practically instantaneously. The stopping of the rotation of the diflerent parts in this manner in-. sures that the high sides of cams 56 and 57 will be in contact with lugs 59 and 63 respectively each time the apparatus is started by the manually operated switch so that the initial rotation of cams 56 and 57 will permit contact members .60 and 64 respectively to move downward into contact with switch members 61 and 65.

In order to start operation of the device a second time, it is again necessary for the operator to close the switch 65 to initiate motor operation, whereupon the operation is automatic during one complete rotation of counter-shaft 42. The usual push button switches utilized as switch 65' are provided with springs which break the circuit upon the termination of manual pressure, and with such switches in the circuits shown, contacts 60 and 61 or contacts 64 and 65 act to complete the circuit during one rotation of the counter-shaft 42 it the switch 65 is allowed to open after initiating motor operation.

For the purpose of protecting the various working parts of our device, we provide a tubularhousing in which the working parts are positioned, the upper end or housing 85 being secured to pump casing 18 by screws or other convenient means notshown.

For the purpose of providing convenient means for connecting our device to a source of potential, we provide outwardly extending contact posts 86, 87 and 88 having thereon locking nuts 89, 90 and 91 respectively.

It will be understoodthat the size, and relative arrangement of the various parts of our device may be varied to a considerable degree if desired, and it will also be understood that the number of air resonant devices may also be varied, as may the order in which the air is sent to such air resonant devices without departing from the spirit of my invention, for although we have shown and described a specific structure and form of part as an exempliilcation of an embodiment of our invention, we do not desire to restrict ourselves to the exact size, shape or arrangement of parts as various changes may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a device of the class described, a plurality of sound resonant devices, a supply of air under pressure, a connection between each sound resonant device and the air under pressure, valves in such connections, a motor, mechanical means actuated by the motor for actuating the valves in predetermined or successive order, and electromagnetically operated means for actuating thevalves in unison.

2. In a device of the class described, a plurality of sound resonant devices, a supply of air under pressure, a connection between each sound reso nant device and the air under pressure, valves in such connections, a motor, mechanical means actuated by the motor for actuating the valves in predetermined or successive order, and means for actuating the valves in unison, including a magnet and a pivoted armature.

3. In a device of the class described, a plurality of sound resonant devices, a supply of air under pressure, a connection between each sound resonant device and the air under pressure, valves in such connections, a cam shaft adapted to actuate the valves in sequence, a motor, means actuated by the motor for rotating the cam shaft, and means comprising electro-magnetically operated means for actuating the valves in unison.

4. In a device of the class described, a plurality of sound resonant devices, a supply of air under pressure, a connection between each sound resonant device and the air under pressure, valves in'such connections, a-cam shaithaving cams thereon which actuate the valves in sequence, a motor, means actuated by the motor forrotating the cam shaft, and means for actuating the valves in unison, including a magnet and a pivoted armature.

5. -A signaling device comprising a plurality of sound resonant devices, a supply of air under pressure, a separate conduit from the supply of air under pressure to each of said air resonant devices, valves in said conduits, a motor, a source. of potential, a circuit between the motor and the source of potential and including a switch, an

electro-magnet in said circuit, -an armature actuated by the magnet and engaging the several valves to actuate the valves in unison, and means comprising a cam shaft driven by the motor and having cams thereon which actuate the valves in sequence and means actuated by said cam shaft for rendering said electro-magnet inoperative during sequential operation of said valves.

6. A signaling device comprising a plurality of air resonant devices, a supply of air under pressure, separate means of communication between the supply of air under pressure and the air resonant devices, valves in such communicating 106 means, a motor, means driven by the motor for actuating the valves in predetermined sequence, and electro-magnetically actuated means engaging the valves to simultaneously move the valves to open position. l v

7. A signaling device comprising a plurality of air resonant devices, a supply of air under pressure, separate means of communication between the supply of air under pressure and the sound resonant devices, valves in such communicating 115 means, a motor, means comprising a releasable switch for controlling the operation of said motor, means driven by the motor for actuating the valves in predetermined sequence, electro-magnetically actuated means engaging the valves to simultaneously move the valves to open position and means for continuing rotation of said motor after said switch has been released.

8. A signaling device comprising a plurality of air resonant devices, a supply of air under pressure, conduits from the supply of air to each of said air resonant devices, valves in said conduits, a motor, a source of potential, a cam shaft driven from the motor and having a series of cams mounted thereon for actuating said valves in predetermined sequence, a plurality of normally broken circuits between the motor and the source of potential, means for closing one of said circuits whereupon the motor rotates thecam shaft to actuate the valves in said predetermined sequence, an electro-magnet included in the other circuit, an armature actuated by said electromagnet to simultaneously open all of said valves, and means for closing saidother circuit.

9. A signaling device comprising a plurality of air resonant devices, a supply of air under pressure, conduits from the supply of air to each of said air resonant devices, valves in said conduits, a motor, a source of potential, a cam shaft driven from the motor and having a series of cams mounted thereon for actuating said valves in predetermined sequence, a plurality of normally broken circuits between the motor and the source cuits whereupon the motor rotates the cam shaft to actuate the valves in said predetermined sequence, an electro-magnet included in the other circuit, an armature actuated by said electromagnet to simultaneously open all of said valves, means for closing said other circuit, and additional means for breaking said circuits after a predetermined cycle of rotation of said cam shaft.

10. In a signaling device for automobiles, a plurality of air resonant devices, means for supplying air to said air resonant devices to sound said air resonant devices in unison comprising an electrical circuit, means for supplying air to said air resonant devices to sound said air resonant devices in sequence comprising a second electrical circuit, and means including a signal switch for selectively controlling said circuits.

11. In a signaling device for automobiles, a plurality of air resonant devices, means for supplying air to said air resonant devices to sound said devices in unison comprising an electrical circuit having electro-magnetically operated means therein, means for supplying air to said air resonant devices to sound said devices in sequence comprising a second electrical circuit, and means including a switch for selectively controlling said circuits.

12. In a signaling device for automobiles, a plurality of air resonant devices, means for supplying air to said air resonant devices to sound said devices in unison comprising an electrical circuit, means for supplying air to said air resonant devices to sound said devices in sequence comprising a second electrical circuit and cam means controlled by said electrical circuit, and switch means for selectively controlling said circuits.

13. In a signaling device for automobiles, a

plurality of air resonant devices, means for sup plying air to said air resonant devices to sound said devices in unison comprising an electrical circuit having electro-magnetically operated means therein, means for supplying air to said air resonant devices to sound said devices in sequence comprising a second electrical circuit and cam means controlled by said second electrical circuit, and switch means for selectively controlli said circuits. 14. In a signaling device for automobiles, a plurality of sound producing elements, means for sounding said elements in unison including an electrical control circuit, means for sounding said elements in sequence including a second electrical control circuit, and means associated with said first named circuit for rendering said second circuit inoperative during simultaneous operation of said elements.

15.'In a signaling device for automobiles, a

plurality of sound-producing elements, means for I sounding said elements in unison including an electrical control circuit, means for sounding said elements in sequence including a second electrical control circuit, and means associated with said second circuit for rendering said first-named circuit inoperative during sequential operation of said elements. I

,16. In a signaling device for automobiles, a. plurality of sound producing elements, means for sounding said elements in unison including an electrical control circuit, means for sounding said elements in sequence including a second electrical control circuit, means associated with said firstnamed circuit for rendering said second circuit inoperative during simultaneous operation of said elements, and means associated with said second circuit for rendering said first-named circuit inoperative during sequential operation of said elements.

17. In a signaling device for automobiles, a plurality of sound producing elements, means for sounding said elements in unison including an electrical control circuit having electro-magnetically operated means therein, means for sounding said elements in sequence including a second electrical control circuit having mechanical means controlled thereby and co-operating with said first mentioned means, means associated with said electro-magnetically operated means for rendering said second circuit inoperative during simultaneous operation of said elements.

- 18. In a signaling device for automobiles, a plurality of sound-producing elements, means for sounding said elements in unison including an electrical control circuit having electro-magnetically operated means therein, means for soundciated with said second circuit for rendering said first-named circuit inoperative during sequential operation of said elements.

19. In a signaling device for automobiles, a plurality of'sound producing elements, means for sounding said elements in unison including an electrical control circuit having electro-magnetically operated means therein, means for sounding said elements in sequence including a second electrical control circuit having mechanical means controlled thereby and co-operating with said first mentioned means, means associated with said electro-magnetically operated means for rendering said second circuit inoperative during simultaneous operation of said elements, and means associated with said second circuit for rendering said first-named circuit inoperative during sequential operation of said elements.

20. In a signaling device for automobiles, a

plurality of sound producing elements, means of time, means for sounding said elements in sequence including a second electrical control circuit having means for initially closing said second circuit, and means for maintaining said second circuit closed for a predetermined length of time, means associated with said first-named circuit for rendering said second control circuit inoperative during simultaneous operation or said sound producing elements, and means associated with said second control circuit, for rendering said first-named control circuit inoperative during sequential operation of said sound producing elements.

WM. SPARKS.

THEODORE J. SCOFIELD.

ASEN C. GREGOROFF.

FRED W. BILLIG. 

